From Neil Abramson, USA Today bestselling author of Unsaid, comes a riveting novel that explores the complex connection between humans and animals.

Veterinarian Samantha Lewis and her team are dedicated to providing a sanctuary for unwanted, abused, and abandoned dogs in New York City. But every day it gets harder to operate her no-kill shelter. Sam is already at her breaking point when she learns of an unidentified, dangerous virus spreading through their neighborhood. The medical community can only determine that animals are the carriers. Amid growing panic and a demand for immediate answers, suspicion abruptly falls on dogs as the source. Soon the governor is calling in the National Guard to enforce a quarantine--no dog may leave the area.

Samantha knows from her own painful history that, despite the lack of real evidence against the dogs, a quarantine may only be the beginning. As questions about the source of the virus mount and clash with the pressure for a politically expedient resolution, Sam is forced to make life-altering choices. She finds allies in a motley crew of New Yorkers--a local priest, a troubled teen, a smart-mouthed former psychologist, and a cop desperate to do the right thing--all looking for sanctuary from their own personal demons. But the person Sam needs the most to unravel the mystery of the virus and save the dogs is the last one she'd ever want to call on--because contacting him will mean confronting the traumatic past she has fought so hard to escape.

via- Amazon.com

I received this book a few months ago but as I usually do, I kept getting distracted by other books that crossed my path. Let me tell you though:

When I finally got around to reading it- IT BLEW ME AWAY!

It may have been one of my last reads of 2016 but it is definitely my favorite read of the year.

Wanna know why?

#1The Characters: Every character in this book brings something special to the table. This includes both the human characters & the characters of the canine species. Each is so well written that even the bad guys contribute to the story as a whole. Of course, we still dislike them but their parts are just as profound as the good guys.

#2 The Emotion: There has only been one other book this year that made me cry & still... that was nothing compared to the 3 times I shed tears over this amazing book. And not only did Abramson's words result in tears, but numerous times I found myself holding my breath, sitting on the edge of my seat, & wishing for a certain outcome.

Those are my two main reasons for labeling this book my favorite read of 2016. However, the book as a whole deserves the spot on many others' lists. Don't just take my word for it though- pick it up & give it a read.